Dave Dombrowski has been in baseball since 1978, after taking his first job with the Chicago White Sox. He is a two-time World Series champion and a two-time Baseball America Executive of the Year. He knows a lot about winning, and when he discusses strategy, it’s always a good listen from the Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations. This time, Dombrowski hinted toward his long-term season plan for the Phillies.

Dombrowski, in an interview with Paul Casella of MLB.com, discussed the importance of starting pitching and the role it plays in a championship team. While, it might have been a slow start to the 2025 season, his plan for the Phillies has taken force as this Phillies team has soared to one of the best in baseball.

“I’ve always felt that the best way to win is to try to throw a quality starting pitcher out there every single day, if you can, it gives you the odds to win,” Dombrowski said, per Casella. “We just felt that by acquiring [Jesús] Luzardo, it gives us that capability.”

The rotation done exactly that for the Phillies, and continues to give the team chances to win every game.

Phillies’ starting pitching has been incredible this season

Everyone knows that the Phillies’ best offseason addition has been the acquisition of Jesús Luzardo. Dombrowski has pieced together not only one of the best starting rotations in baseball this season, but also put together depth behind the rotation to keep things rolling.

The Phillies’ starting pitching has been on another level this season.

Heading into Wednesday, the rotation leads MLB in quality starts with 30 on the season, along with throwing the most strikeouts with 346 (the entire pitching staff leads MLB with 531). The rotation’s 3.15 ERA is second in the National League, while it’s 1.19 WHIP is the second-best and Phillies starters have thrown the most innings (311) in the NL.

The depth being displayed has been unreal to start the season, as it looks like the team does not miss a beat with one arm down.

Luzardo is 5-0 on the season, posting a 2.15 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 77 this season. Wheeler is 6-1 with the most quality starts in baseball at nine, while striking out 88 for fourth in the league.

The Phillies added Ranger Suárez back, but then lost Aaron Nola to the IL. Suárez continues to dominate after one rough start in his first game back, but since he has had four straight quality starts, including three scoreless outings. The Phillies have had Taijuan Walker bounce from starter to the bullpen and back again, and he has been a lot better than a year ago.

Finally, alongside the core, the Phillies needed to call up prospect Mick Abel, who finished his MLB debut with nine strikeouts over six scoreless innings. Plus, top prospect Andrew Painter is making his way toward his eventual MLB debut in July.

The long-term plan from Dombrowski was clear. While it did not jump out right away to start the season, it has turned into a clear image of the expectations from this team led by a starting pitching staff that will give the Phillies a chance to win every single game, and that was the goal. At 35-19, they have the best record in baseball, thanks in large part to the starting pitching.